We had fun with our Gnome hats that were included in Globe Trot Scott’s package from Sweden. I think this is a great picture of our awesome class! There are a couple more photos on the Gnomie Page. Of course, we had to do a silly one! I have added quite a few ‘Pages’ of photos for you to peruse.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday time with family and friends, and that you managed to avoid the flu. So far, I have not been sick, want to keep it that way!

Just a reminder that you can click on any photo to enlarge it. You also have my permission to download the photos that you may want to save for your own albums.

I see we have a recent ‘check’in’ from Puerto Rico – just a little while ago, in fact. Is that you Cky’s? Are you there, yet? You are missing out on the snow and Arctic cold here! Don’t cry too hard. 🙂

November 16th already! It has been too long since I have posted on this blog, so I will add some pictures over the next few days.
I don’t think any of us are quite ready for the snow and Arctic temperatures (that are forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday morning). Please remember to dress your children warmly this upcoming week. Also, since the air is getting noticeably drier, it would be great if you could send a tube of lip balm for your child to keep in their desk here at school.
We have been reading and learning about the Pilgrims and the voyage on the Mayflower to the New World. It is agreed by all of us that we are so thankful that we live now, and not back then. Hopefully, your child has told you some things about this voyage and their settlement here in the US. If you go to Plimoth.org, you can see lots of great photos about this subject.
Another topic that has been of interest, are ‘true animal hero’ stories. The kids love these, and this led us to learn about Binti Jua – a gorilla that rescued a 3 year old boy who had fallen into his enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. You may have heard about it on TV. I remember seeing it. You can also find the videos about in on Youtube. We found out that Binti Jua was an aunt to Koko, the gorilla (who has learned lot of sign language). So, we listened to two books about Koko, and have enjoyed holding our class stuffed Koko, and also Michael (Koko’s gorilla friend). You can go to Koko.org and see lots of videos of Koko signing. Koko still lives in Woodside, CA.
This past Friday, Frank Slabaugh came in and helped the children with a digital story telling activity. They had already written a sentence or two about a turkey disguise, so typed their sentences into the story-telling app on the ipad. Then, those who had time drew their turkey’s disguise. Next week, Frank will help them record their ‘story’ into the app, and they will be able to listen to themselves tell their story. Plus, I think they can save it and share it with you somehow. (I will have to wait and see if that is right.)
In our Benchmark Reading lessons, we have been learning about Main idea, details, sequence of events, character analysis, and being able to visualize what is happening in the story. Also, the kids have had a couple of Reader’s Theater stories that they can ‘act out’. Right now, they are working on Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, and some of them will perform it for the 2nd graders tomorrow. We are working using fluency, expression and keeping your place in the script while others are talking.
Our Math unit is about measurement now. You have probably surmised this from the Home Links they have brought home. Thanks for doing these with your children. It really helps them a lot!

Welcome to the First Grade blog. Finally! We are up and running in First Grade, and getting used to all of the new rules and routines. It takes a few weeks to really get into a routine. We have a great group of First Graders, and they are adjusting very well to their new expectations. Lots of new things are happening this year at Washington Township, so the staff is also adjusting! We have a new Reading curriculum (Benchmark), a new school-wide behavior system (PBIS), new Specials schedule (6-day rotation), school-wide WIN (What I Need) time, PLC (Professional Learning Community) time for grade-level collaboration, new Science kits, and new room locations for the Kindergarten and Third grades. I have been very busy with all of the new things!
Hopefully, you have been checking your child’s blue communication folder each day when they come home. Be sure to check the Letter sound review section, as we have been getting into some trickier sounds that need some more practice. We are also practicing counting by 10’s, 5’s, and 2’s – so this is also something you could practice with your child at home around the dinner table.
Most of the photos I post will be on separate Pages – which are listed along the right side of the blog page. You will the photos are rather small. If you click on a photo, you will get another small view of it. Click on it once more, and it will enlarge. You can even magnify it one more time after that.
Also, feel free to download any photos of your child that you want to save on your own computer.

Here is the most recent Northern Lights video from Ole Salomonsen. Towards the end of the video, you will see the Arctic Cathedral (lit up) and a boat moving in front of it. This is in the city of Tromso, Norway. I was there in 2010, and my hotel was about in the exact spot from where this view is seen. I was in the Arctic Cathedral in the daytime, and will be showing the class my photos. They saw the video today, and of course, want to go to Norway on a field trip! Wish that were possible! Enjoy watching in a dark room, and click to ‘fullscreen’ to get the best effect.

This is awesome to watch! BUT….mute the sound for the first 3 minutes. The guys making the video use a swear word several times. I don’t know why people think they need to use swear words in their everyday speech. It ruins it for the kids.

A great video of Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway. I was there 2 years ago, but not during Aurora season. Copy and paste the link into your browser. My daughter and I were fortunate to be able to visit the cathedral that is shown in the video. A beautiful place!

http://www.visitnorway.com/us/What-to-do/Attractions-Culture/Nature-attractions/Let-there-be-northern-lights/?media=video&autorun=true

I showed the following Northern Lights video to the kids today. They were so taken with it, that they began applauding halfway through! And, they wanted me to show it again. I visited Tromso, Norway this past summer, but would love to go back sometime in the winter to be able to witness the beautiful Auroro Borealis. The Kindergarteners want to go, too. To enjoy it to the fullest, view it full screen in a darkened room. We watched it on the large flatscreen TV in our darkened classroom. Of course, the music really adds to the effect. Enjoy! (Just copy and paste into your browser window, and you will be taken to the video.)